Wrist Drill
Jun 23
2009
Paddlers hold their top hand wrist on the paddle’s ‘T’ handle. This helps identify the correct path of downward pressure on the paddle, and quickly identifies incorrect direction of force.
Coaches: Watch for cheating, as some paddlers will simply place their open hand over the handle, or the heel of their hand, which negates the purpose of the drill. This is well illustrated by the 2nd, 3rd & 4th paddlers on the port side. The 2nd paddler has hooked her thumb under the handle and placed her palm on top, while #3 & $ are both using their palms rather than their wrists.
Ken McVay photo
Tags: Correct Path, Downward Pressure, Ken Mcvay, Paddler, Palm, Palms, Photo, Thumb
The Air Drill
Jun 23
2009
This drill was introduced to Ergondragons members during a Stroke Improvement Clinic. It is useful in helping paddlers who are not hinging, or who are not hinging through the full 15 degree range, or those with timing issues.
Arms should be held at shoulder height and kept fully extended.
Coaches should watch for improper technique – note that the paddler in the rear does not have her arms extended, and will gain no benefit from the drill.
This drill provides an effective means of encouraging a single paddler to hinge properly while the rest of the crew continues to paddle, as this photo illustrates.
Here are some additional timing drills.
[Ken McVay photos]
Tags: Benefit From, Degree Range, dragon boat drill, Improper Technique, Improvement Clinic, Ken Mcvay, Paddler, Paddlers, paddlers air drill, paddling drill, Photo, Photos, Shoulder Height, Stroke Improvement, Waters Edge